Originally slated to star Eric Bana and Danny Huston, the long in the works “Elvis & Nixon” now has a new leading duo which should get it off the ground.

Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey will star in the movie, co-written by Cary Elwes, that recounts the morning of December 21st 1970, when the King of Rock’ n Roll (Shannon) showed up on the White House lawn to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Richard Nixon (Spacey). He had a very urgent request: to be sworn in as an undercover Federal Agent at large. This intimate moment in the Oval office between two men at the height of their powers has never been told.

Elwes had been planning to make his directorial debut with the project, but that gig has been handed over to Liza Johnson (“Return,” “Hateship Loveship“). No word yet on when shooting might begin but financing is underway.

In another movie glancing on real-life figures, Chris Cooper will portray J.D. Salinger in “Coming Through The Rye.” But this isn’t a tale from the author’s life exactly. Instead it’s a coming-of-age story set in 1969 involving two teenagers, Alex Wolff (“Hair Brained,” “A Birder’s Guide to Everything“) and Stefania Owen (“The Carrie Diaries,” “The Lovely Bones“) as they search for J. D. Salinger. The movie is based on director Jim Sadwith’s own quest to find Salinger and his encounters with the reclusive author. Filming is underway.

Screen Daily reports that “Time Out Of Mind” pair Richard Gere and Oren Moverman have reteamed for “Oppenheimer Strategies.” The latter will produce the Joseph Cedar-written and -directed movie that will follow “Norman Oppenheimer who — on the verge of vanishing into obscurity — charms rising Israeli politician Micha Esher who ascends to prime minister three years later. Once elevated into his inner circle, however, Oppenheimer is faced with tough decisions when the state of world politics is threatened.” Cameras will roll in January.